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While John Mitchell would like to return to the Maple Leafs lineup against the Boston Bruins tonight, the rookie forward admits it is no slam dunk he will play.

Mitchell suffered a slightly separated shoulder against those same Bruins in Boston Nov. 6. It was originally thought he would come back for this evening's game at the Air Canada Centre, but Mitchell is offering no guarantees.

"You're always eager," Mitchell said. "But if your shoulder is not ready it's not ready. There is no real rush to get back in. I'd rather it heal up 100%.

"There is always that opportunity. It's still pretty sore when I shoot. We obviously haven't taken any body contact as of yet ... I'm not sure if (today) will be the day or not but we are definitely looking at Saturday."

Would it be weird to face the Bruins, the team he was injured against?

"No don't think so," he said. "It's not like I got completely hammered or obliterated and I would be tentative. It was just a flukey hit. I just got hit weird. I don't think that would bother me at all."

KYLE'S REVENGE

How much did former Leaf Kyle Wellwood want to beat his former team Saturday?

Prior to the game, which Vancouver would end up winning 4-2, Wellwood offered his Vancouver Canuck teammates money to score against the Leafs.

"I was just getting the guys going, making sure they were ready to play," said Wellwood, who would go on to open the scoring on Vancouver's first shot of the game. "They're always ready to play but I was just trying to show as much enthusiasm as I could.

"(This) was a special case. (My teammates) were giving me a hard time before the game -- "no friends" (on the Leafs) -- and things like that. It was a fun atmosphere before the game."

UP NEXT

The Leafs will face the Bruins tonight at the Air Canada Centre. The teams have split two previous meetings this season, both in Boston. Toronto won 4-2 on Oct. 23 while Boston triumphed 5-2 on Nov. 6.